Southeast recognizes winners in classroom

Kay Ehlke and Chuck McElroy were not the most decorated or recognized Southeast Missouri State University athletes over the past four years.

But Ehlke and McElroy more than distinguished themselves in the classroom.

Tuesday night, that pair earned the top individual honors during Southeast's annual All Sports Year End Celebration at the Show Me Center. The event was sponsored by Southeast Missouri Hospital.

Ehlke and McElroy won the Trombetta and Jewell awards, respectively, given each year to the graduating senior female and male athletes with the highest grade point averages for their career.

Ehlke, a tennis player from Casey, Ill., attained academic perfection during her four years at Southeast with a 4.0 GPA while majoring in health management.

"I did really well in high school, but I never really set out to get a 4.0 in college," Ehlke said. "But I've always tried to do my best and I've always had high expectations. I never really thought about it, but when it got later in my college career, I really wanted to do it."

Ehlke had a solid if undistinguished tennis career at Southeast, earning team MVP honors the past three seasons, although the Otahkians have been rebuilding for several years and have consistently finished toward the bottom of the Ohio Valley Conference standings.

"I've really enjoyed my tennis here," she said.

Ehlke also figures to enjoy the summer internship she has lined up. She will work in South Korea as a Navy civilian helping set up sports and fitness programs for sailors and their families. And next year she plans to attend graduate school.

"I really don't know what I want to do yet with my career, but I really enjoy health and fitness and I'm sure I'll be involved with that," she said.

McElroy, a football player from Tupelo, Miss., did not have a perfect GPA but he wasn't too far off with a 3.82 in finance.

"It's definitely a very good honor to win this award," McElroy said.

McElroy, a tight end, caught just 12 passes for 134 yards and three touchdowns during his four seasons with the Indians. But as a recruit during coach Tim Billings' first season at Southeast, McElroy played a role in helping turn the program around.

"It's been great here for both ends, academics and football," McElroy said. "It was definitely good to see the program get going while I was here."

McElroy plans to return to Southeast next year to begin work toward a master's degree.

Also recognized Tuesday were junior basketball player Derek Winans, who became Southeast's first Academic All-American, as he has compiled a perfect 4.0 GPA in business management; and track/cross country athlete Lindsay Zeiler, the NCAA Foundation Leadership winner who has been selected to attend the 2004 NCAA Leadership Conference later in Orlando, Fla.

Zeiler will join 324 student-athletes who have been tabbed as current or future leaders on their college campuses and were selected from a pool of more than 1,175 nominees. Participants will attend the conference to discuss key issues in intercollegiate athletics and to enhance their leadership skills.

Football player Derek Kutz, gymnastics athlete Alexis Traylor and track athletic Alonzo Nelson were recognized as Foundation Leadership finalists.

Awards were presented for each of the men's and women's sports at Southeast.

SOUTHEAST AWARDS

Following are the individual sport awards from Tuesday's Southeast Missouri State University All Sports Year End Celebration:

FOOTBALL

Goddard Award: Dan Bieg

Vogelsang Award (MVP): Jamel Oliver (back), Eugene Amano (lineman)

Ken Hargens Award (top defensive back/linebacker): Ricky Farmer

Hamby Award (highest GPA): Chuck McElroy

Kenneth Knox Award (top defensive lineman): Ryan Roth

Golden Helmet Award (most tackles): O.J. Turner

KZIM MVP Award: Ray Goodson

All-OVC: Dan Bieg, Ricky Farmer, Ray Goodson, Derek Kutz, Dimitri Patterson, Ryan Roth

All-American: Eugene Amano, Ray Goodson, Dimitri PattersonVOLLEYBALL

Pursuit of Excellence Award: Suzanne Gundlach

Howard's MVP Award: Emily Scannell

All-OVC: Emily ScannellSOCCER

Howard's MVP Award: Julie Wunderlich

All-OVC: Marla GianinoWOMEN'S CROSS COUNTRY

Howard's MVP Award: Kaci PilcherMEN'S CROSS COUNTRY

KZIM MVP Award: Brian Whitehead

All-OVC: Chad Sierman, Brian WhiteheadWOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Tammy Hoffmeister Award (most inspirational): Carina Souza

Hoover Award (academica/athletics): Carina Souza

Susan Guidicy Award (MVP): Sami Jo Cotton

Howard's MVP Award: Yashika Sidbury

OVC Newcomer of the Year: Sami Jo CottonMEN'S BASKETBALL

C.P. Harris Award (outstanding player): Derek Winans

Cecil Tate Award (outstanding defensive player): Brandon Griffin

KZIM MVP Award: Brandon Griffin

Academic All-American: Derek WinansGYMNASTICS

Howard's MVP Award: Ashley Godwin

All-Midwest Independent: Ashley Godwin, Tara Boldt

NCAA Regional Qualifiers: Ashley Godwin, Tara Boldt, Alexis TraylorWOMEN'S INDOOR TRACK

Howard's MVP Award: (field events) Heather Jenkins, (track events) Lindsay Zeiler

All-OVC: Heather Jenkins (2), Lindsay Zeiler (2), Brooke Woodruff, Jennifer Burke, LaQuita Andrews, Taryn Phillips, Kaci Pilcher, Michele Jett

OVC Indoor Female Athlete of the Year: Heather JenkinsMEN'S INDOOR TRACK

KZIM MVP Award: (field events) Andrew Lambert, (track events) David Herman

All-OVC: Jay Heddell, Jordan Willi, Daniel Jones, David HermanBASEBALL

All awards to be determined after the seasonSOFTBALL

All awards to be determined after the seasonGOLF

KZIM MVP Award: Kent Phillips

TENNIS

Howard's MVP Award: Kay EhlkeWOMEN'S OUTDOOR TRACK

Howard's MVP Award: (field events) Heather Jenkins, (track events) Brooke Woodruff

All-OVC: To be determined after the seasonMEN'S OUTDOOR TRACK

KZIM MVP Award: (field events) Jay Heddell, (track events) Miles Smith

All-OVC: To be determined after the seasonCHEERLEADERS

Howard's MVP Award: Lindsay Smith

KZIM MVP Award: Rich RedouteySUNDANCERS

Howard's MVP Award: Heather CookTRAINERS

Howard's MVP Award: Kimberly Armbruster

KZIM MVP Award: Chris Williams